New amp help need some advice

[Klipschholic]

Hello all, Im new to this forum but was looking to get some advice on buying a great amp. I was looking at the Theta Dreadnaught 2 and I can get one for around 3500.00. I have a budget betweek 3-4k. Any suggestions of a great power amp? Im using this 100% for Movies and using a Pioneer Elite SC-57 Pre-Amp.

 

[lsiberian]

What speakers are you driving that need a 3.5k amp?

 

[Steve81]

What speakers are you driving that need a 3.5k amp?

That, and what kind of volume levels are you looking for? How far do you sit from your speakers?

 

[Klipschholic]

My speakers are sensitive not that I need tons of power but in movies I have heard at higher volumes distortion etc ready to start thr pre/pro amp plunge. I have a 13*23 foot room. I want more detail and better mids etc at high volumes. Running 7 or 9 channels on my pioneer isnt cutting it. Check out my profile for all speakers etc.

 

[Klipschholic]

I have primarily wanted to purchase a 200-250 watt per channel power amp and use my pioneer elite sc 57 as a pre-amp. I was going to purchase the parasound 5250 v2 but decided id rather up the quality and purchase an amp I will keep for a very long time. I have listened to the theata Dreadnaught 3 and loved it but I have found a Theat Dreadnaught 2 7ch amp for 3700 on audiogon right now that im thinking about.

I am currently Running

2 Klipsch RF-83s, RC-64 Center, 4 RS-62 surrounds, 2 RB-81’s, 2 KA-1000 Sub amps with 4 Klipsch KW-120 THX ultra 2 Subs.

 

[fuzz092888]

So let's look at a little math shall we?

With just your RF-83's and taking no other speakers into account and with no room gain, with 50 watts you'll hit 94db at 20 feet. If you're 10 feet you'll hit 104 db.

With an average distance of 10 feet, with moderate room gain, 100 watts per channel, and if I dumb down the efficiency to 97db 1W/1m which is the lowest efficiency speakers you have in your system with all 9 channels running you come up with a peak SPL of 119.9db. This on the threshold of physical pain.

My point is, that you need a moderately powered 5 channel amp to take some of the heat off of the receiver. Unless you are planning ahead for the day when you switch to less efficient speakers, then I really don't think you'll need a $3-4K amp delivering gobs of power.

If you are planning ahead, then 250 watts per channel isn't enough IMHO and I would go bigger because if you switch to something that is 87 or 85db 1W/1m you'll need more power than 250 WPC.

 

[Klipschholic]

Without looking at just wattage overall quality coming from the higher end amps in the mid bass range/details at higher level etc. would the Theata, or Parasound be a better quality item? Currently I love the sound of the 83’s until I up the volume to higher levels. Wouldn’t look at neccisiarrily 85db speakers but low 90’s maybe. Would you have better suggestions on 200w or 180w per channel amps? One thing I really liked about the Parasound, Theata and Anthem amps I listened to paired with klipsch is they were more of a neutral sound even at medium volume levels. The pioneer is warm and not my forte’ but the neutral sounding amps have to me sounded fantastic with the Klipsch Speakers. I listened to a Sunfire amp that I didn’t care for to much as it also had a warm sound to me so that’s what had me auditioning a few other amps. So far looking at the Theata Dreadnaught, Anthem A5, Acurus a2007 and the Parasound 5250 v2 not just for the gobs of power but for the sound they give at higher volume levels. No clipping or anything to me with those but I haven’t heard the acurus to be fair. Thanks in advance.

 

[Klipschholic]

What about 90db speakers? Looking at of I pick up a pair of b&w 803s? And sventually a new center?

 

[fuzz092888]

I can't speak about any of the one's you've mentioned since I've never heard any of them. My own personal preference is towards high current class A amps, or at least class A/B amps that run in class A up to a point. Not a very well known company, but AB Systems/AB International makes really high quality multi-channel home theater amplifiers. The looks are a bit plain, until you pop the lid. They're expensive, but Bob may still be running his 50% off promotion. You can e-mail him and ask about that. The only tradeoff is that with the 50% off you don't get the full 5 year warranty, you only get 1. However, you can buy more years for something like $150 a year or something like that.

There's also Cinepro, Cinenova, ATI, Outlaw (whose OEM is ATI), or a pro amp stack like the crown XLS 2500. These are just the ones I've heard personally and I wouldn't have a second thought recommending any of them. My advice is that you should get out there and try to listen to some of these amps.

Then again, there are two camps around these parts. All well designed amplifiers will sound more similar than different VS Amps have their own unique sound.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Amplifiers

ATI owns Theta. ATI makes Theta amps....and a lot of amps for a lot of companies.

 

[Klipschholic]

Yeah I have been looking at ATI and Anthem amps as well. Little less money and from the reputation I have read both are great sounding. I have been reading through many threads and a few people have suggested that if I were to keep my Klipsch speakers with high sensitivity Anthem pairs really well with them. I’m trying to buy an Amp that will go well with my Current setup but also plan for the future in case I want to get lower sensitivity speakers. Not sure if id do that or not. If I stick with Klipsch as I have been a fan for a long time I have looked at upgrading to the Palladium towers and center which are a little lower rated at 95db.

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest amps on the front only. I'm not sure leaving the Klipsch Reference series is an upgrade if you really love horns. I understand the Phile in us all, but that is one of the top sets out there even today.

Salks and Philharmonics definitely should be looked at though. There are some fantastic internet direct speakers out there. Of course there is also the JBL LSR series.

I will confess in a listening test I like the Energy speakers over the Klipsh Reference though.

 

[j_garcia]

I'd definitely upgrade those speakers before dropping that kind of cash on an amp in that price range. You will NOT get any more detail out of them with an "expensive" amp (I will be writing something up to that effect for a TOTD). YES, an amp like that will handle anything you throw at it now or in the future, but if you don't actually need it, then you are sort of wasting your time and money. You could drop that kind of cash on it and be disappointed in the value you get out of it. If you aren't happy with the sound as it is now, a big amp isn't going to change the sound dramatically; it will be louder for sure, but still essentially the same sound. Speakers make the biggest difference.

 

[Klipschholic]

Ok I’m at a dilemma (a good dilemma though). So after switching to Separate Amps (currently using a Pioneer elite SC-55 paired with an Anthem A5 Also have a Parasound 5250 v2.) I’m at ends about speakers. I have been a long time klipsch Fan but im not a person to shove off other speakers and have listened to Paradigm and B&W recently. I since upgrading to a Separate amp have sold my Klipsch Speakers (some not all) I sold the two main RF-83s and RC-64 Center and have a bigger budget now to get new speakers. I’m in debate on the following and could use some extreme opinions I want all ups and downs form owners of any of the brands please.

Looking at getting either

Klipsch RF-7ii’s with RC-64ii center

Klipsch PF-37s with

B&W 803d with HTM1 or HTM2

Not sure on Paradigms yet probably going to choose between the Klipsch and B&Ws to be honest. Also looked at Thiel but have never listened to them.

Please let me know of your experiences. If I do switch to B&W then I will replace my 4 surrounds and my 2 Height Channels with matching sets but I will be buying them later so I can have a larger budget for the main speakers first.

As for my subs sorry but after owning dual SVS Ultra13 and my subs now they aren’t going anywhere. I love the beyond comprehension ferocity of the 4 Klipsch THX KW-120s paired with 2 KA-1000 Amps

 

[Steve81]

Well since you sold the RF-83s, I'd at a minimum say you probably shouldn't waste your time/effort/money getting the RF-7ii's. Beyond that, it's up to your ears.

 

[lsiberian]

If I do switch to B&W then I will replace my 4 surrounds and my 2 Height Channels with matching sets but I will be buying them later so I can have a larger budget for the main speakers first.

You don't need to match surrounds to the mains it's normally not a good breakdown of cost.

B&Ws are nice, but please try out some of the Internet Brands. Phils and Salks both should be considered. If you are a bass head then check out the JTR series.